Bath fixture



F. H- LEWIS BATH FIXTURE File May 1937 Patented Get. 12, 1937 STTES ATENT OFFIQE 16 Claims.

This invention relates-to household bathing apparatus and it has to do more particularly with a shower bath curtain or screen adapted to be used in conjunction with a bathtub in order to confine 5 the spray of water within the same when the bathtub is used with an overhead shower head.

Shower curtains of fabric or other flexible materials are in common usage'and are notoriously deficient in many respects. To overcome their well-known defects and disadvantages, attempts have been made to use rigid curtains or screens of the type comprising a glass plate or the like in conjunction with bathtubs and overhead shower heads. These attempts have also proved unsatisa factory so far, from many standpoints.

In many instances, their construction was such that, when once the curtains had been installed, they became more or less a permanent fixture and a fixed part of the bathing appliance, and thus could not be dismantled or disconnected from the tub and wall without injury to the same and without leaving objectionable marks on the tu and wall. 7

Another disadvantage of this fixed type of curtain as heretofore constructed was that it was not secured at the top except at the wall engaging edge and its use was, therefore, limited to certain installations where it could be fastened to the wall. This at best made a poorly supported curtain and lacked any adjustability. This lack of adjustability limited the application of such non-adjustable rigid curtains, as it required the building of such shower curtains in varying sizes, an impossible requirement from the standpoint of successful manufacture and sale, particularly in volume.

Ancther disadvantage of this type of curtain was the fact that, once it was installed, it was fixed relatively to the tub and consequently could 4 not be adjusted or moved relative thereto so as to facilitate cleaning the bathtub or regulation of the water supply to the shower without the bather entering the tub. Hence, the bather was forced to enter the tub and possibly undergo great discomfort from contact with water that was too hot or too cold, until the desired temperature had been obtained.

A still further disadvantage of such curtains as heretofore attempted was that they permitted water to leak outside of the tub, and, therefore, failed to perform their prime and immediate function of confining the spray of water within the bathtub.

Therefore, it is a general object of my invention 55 to provide an improved shower bath curtain.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved adjustable shower bath curtain which is applicable to present and widely different bathtub installations.

Another object is to provide a curtain of the foregoing character which is adapted to be detachably secured or mounted on the rim of a bathtub and supported by the existing curtain rod, regardless of the various relative positions of curtain rod and bathtub. That is, the position of the usual overhead curtain rod for supporting the customary fabric type of curtain varies with respect to the top edge of the bathtub; for example, it is not always directly vertically above the center line of the rim of the tub, but in many instances is to one side or the other thereof and consequently out of alignment therewith. Therefore, screens lacking adjustability are applicable only to installations where the curtain rod is directly over the rim of the tub. Furthermore, the curtain supporting rods are frequently not only out of alignment with the rim of the tub but are also disposed at various heights thereabove.

Still another object is to provide a portable shower curtain that is movable relatively to the tub and rod so as to permit easy access to the interior of the tub for cleaning the same, and to permit adjusting the water temperature of the shower bath from a point without the bathtub.

Other and further objects of my invention will become apparent hereinafter.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a, portion of a bath installation showing an application of my invention to an existing bathtub and curtain rod.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a curtain embodying my invention, an intermediate portion of the curtain being broken away.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Referring more specifically to Fig. 1 of the drawing, my improved shower curtain II] is il1ustrated as applied to a corner bathtub H. The walls l2 and I3 of the room and the curtain l0 form a shower stall that is closed on three sides and open on the fourth side at the rear end of the tub. Projecting from the wall l3 are the customary hot and cold water valve handles It and which are adapted to be adjusted to control the amount and temperature of water flowing through spout It for ordinary bathtub use or through the shower bath head H, The

fit

ordinary curtain rod H3 is fastened to the walls 52 and 53 above the rim of the bathtub in sub stantially parallel relationship thereto. Although my improved curtain it is shown as applied to the particular bathroom arrangement of the tubeand walls illustrated in Fig. 1, it is to be understood that my improved curtain is applicable to most of the Varied types of bathroom arrangements.

More specifically, my improved curtain ill comprises a large rectangular sheet of glass 19 mounted in a metal frame 29 and protected by a rubber gasket 2|. The curtain it is adapted to seat on the rim H of the bathtub H for sliding movements thereon by means of spaced saddlelike members 22 and 23 fastened to the bottom of the frame iii). The saddle members are preferably spaced inwardly from the ends of the frame 2d, the member 23 being located a Sllfilcient distance from the right side of the curtain to permit that side of the curtain to engage the wall l3 without the saddle 23 engaging the end portion li of the tub.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, the saddle members 22 and 23 straddle the tub rim M which is of the usual rounded form and thereby prevent lateral movement of the curtain while permitting sliding movement parallel to the length of the tub. The members 22 and 23 are of identical construction and are generally channel shaped in cross section and are provided at their upper central portions with channels or grooves of sufficient width and depth to receive the frame 28. The frame 23 is detachably secured to the saddles 22 and 23 by means of screws 2i which extend upwardly through the bottom wall of the channels of saddle members 22 and 23 and are threadedinto the frame 20. Mounted in eachend of each of the saddle members are rollers 32 which are adapted to contact the bathtub rim li to permit the curtain id to be rolled along the rim li so that easy access may be had to the interior of the bathtub at any desired point. Rollers 32 are of identical construction, and are mounted withinthe saddle members 22 and 23 with their axes angularly disposed relative to H on either side of the center thereof.

each other and their surfaces contacting the rim Each roller 32 comprises an annular rubber roller 33 ro'tatably supported by ball bearing units 34 at each end thereof which are mounted between two spaced flanges or walls 35 formed in each end of the saddle members and which are adapted to support spindle bolts 36. The annular rollers 33 are preferably made of rubber or the like material as to form a water seal and so that, upon rolling engagement with the bathtub rim H no scratching or damaging thereof will result. A water-proof fabric flap 3'! is fastened on the bottom of frame 20 and is adapted to extend inwardly and downwardly for the length of the frame over the rim ll of the bathtub. This flap 3? prevents any water from passing between the bottom of the curtain Ill and the rim H of the bathtub, and is cut away at two points along its extent to permit of the free operation of the saddle members 22 and 23.

The upper end of the frame 2i? is guided or supported by the usual curtain rod l8 by means of two spaced supports til which adjustably engage the shower curtain rod 58 and are slidable therealong. The supports ii are spaced inwardly from the ends of the top side of the frame 26 and are adapted to maintain the bath curtain H] in a substantially upright position relative to the bathtub H.

The supports All are adapted to slidably engage the curtain rod 58 and to maintain the bath curtain ill in substantially upright position, regardless of the height and position of the rod relatively to the tub. Specifically, each support comprises a split clamping member 4! having inner concave surfaces adapted to be adjustably secured to a cylindrical adapter 42 which is grooved to receive the frame 20 and is secured thereto by a screw 43. This provides for angular adjustment of the supports til to accommodate the curtain to rods disposed at different positions relatively to the tub. The clamping member 4! may be locked in adjusted position by means of clamping screws M.

The clamping member ll is tapped at its top to receive the threaded end of a rod 55 slidably and adjustably received within a sleeve 46. The rod and sleeve may be locked in adjusted position by a set screw ll. Sleeve 45 is provided at its upper end with a U-shaped member 4 .8 which is lined with a thin felt, or the like material, G9 and which is adapted to slidably engage the curtain rod E8. The purpose of the felt lining 59 is to prevent rattling and scratching or damage to the curtain rod 58 when the curtain i9 is moved from one end of the tub to the other on the rim li In addition to being adjustable angularly, the support 39 may be adjusted vertically to engage curtain rods positioned at diiferent heights from the tub by adjusting sleeve it upon rod 45.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that one size of curtain will suffice for most installations, even where the curtain rods IS are disposed at varying heights above the rim of the bathtub, and also where the curtain rod i8 is considerably out of vertical alignment with the rim H of the bathtub II. This is true by virtue of the vertical and angular adjustment of the supports Gil and the adaptability of the saddle members 22 to various tub rims. If necessary, additional sections of rod 45 may be added, the upper end thereof being threaded as at 59 for this purpose. Thus, from the foregoing, it is apparent that my improved shower curtain it] may be applied to substantially any existing bathtub arrangements Where the well-known and existing shower curtain rods it are disposed at various heights and angles of alignment above the bathtub.

When the improved curtain I0 is mounted inoperative position on the rim ll of the bathtub! with the supporting arms at in slidable engagement with the curtain rod i ii, the curtain H) may easily be rolled along the rim H of the tub II as desired, from the position against the wall l3, such being the position when a shower bath is being taken, to a position toward the opposite end of the tub to give access to the Water faucets. With the curtain in Fig. 1 position, as it is in ordinary use, it is virtually impossible for any water or spray to leak onto the floor surrounding the tub. Furthermore, in preparation for the shower bath, the bather may adjust the temperature of the water merely by sliding or rolling the curtain iii to the left to give ready access to the interior of the tub and the hot and cold water faucets is and it). When the water has been adjusted to the desired temperature, the curtain it may be moved back into operative position against the wall l3 and the bather may then step into the tub at the rear end thereof. In this way, by making the curtain it slidable upon the rim Ii of the tub, any discomfiture which would be caused the bather within the tub during adjustment of the temperature of the shower is avoided. This latter rollable feature also permits easy access to the end of the tub adjacent the wall I3 to permit cleaning of the same.

The curtain is readily applicable to any tub without the necessity of skilled help or the use of any tools except a screw driver and may be detached with equal facility and applied to any other tub. Consequently, the manufacturer need only manufacture and stock one size for all installations and the curtain may be sold by any household utility distributor as well as by any plumbing fixture sales distributor.

Although my improved curtain is illustrated and described as comprising asheet of glass mounted within a protecting frame, it is to be understood that such a frame may be dispensed with in many instances or other types of substantially rigid water-proof materials used without departing from my invention. It will also be understood that changes and modifications of details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: r

1. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, said curtain comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the rim of said tub, and means for guiding the top of said sheet from a curtain rod and adapted to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub, while permitting movement of said sheet along the top of said tub.

2. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, said curtain comprising a frame, a sheet of waterproof material mounted within said frame, means on the bottom of said frame to facilitate movement of said frame along the rim of said tub, and means on the top of said frame adapted to engage a curtain rod and to maintain said frame in substantially upright position relative to said tub, while permitting movement of said frame along. the top of said tub.

3. A shower bath curtainadapted to be mounted on the rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, said curtain comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheetfor movement along the rim of said tub, and vertically adjustable means for guiding the top of said sheet from a curtain rod and for maintaining said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub, while permitting movement of said sheet along the top of said tub.

4. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, said curtain comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the rim of said tub, and means for guiding the top of said sheet from a curtain rod, said latter means being shiftable angularly relative to the plane of said curtain and adapted to engage a curtain rod to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub.

5. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, said curtain comprising a subs'tantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the rim of said tub, and means for guiding the top of said sheet from a curtain rod, said latter means being adjustable vertically and also angularly with respect to the plane of said sheet and being adapted to engage a curtain rod to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub.

6. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, said curtain comprising a frame, a sheet of waterproof material mounted within said frame, means for supporting the bottom of said frame for movement along the rim of said tub, and means for guiding the top of said frame from a curtain rod, said latter means being adjustable vertically and also angularly with respect to the plane of said frame and being adapted to engage a curtain rod to maintain said frame in substantially upright position relative to said tub, while permitting movement of said frame along the top of said tub.

7. A shower bath screen adapted to be mounted on the rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod comprising a frame, a sheet of waterproof material mounted within said frame, means on the bottom of said frame adapted to support said frame for movement along the rim of said tub, means for guiding the top of said frame from a curtain rod to maintain said frame in substantially upright position relative to said tub, while permitting movement of said frame along the top of said tub, said means comprising an upwardly extending arm and a member on the end of said arm adapted to engage a curtain rod for slidable movement thereon, said arm being adjustable vertically and angularly relative to the plane of said frame.

8. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the rim of abathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, said curtain comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the rim of said tub, and means secured to the top of said sheet and adapted to engage a curtain rod to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub, said means comprising an upwardly extending arm, a member on one end of said arm secured I to the top of said sheet and being adjustable thereon to permit said arm to be adjusted angularly relative to the plane of said sheet and a member on the other end of said arm adapted to engage a curtain rod for movement therealong.

9. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, said curtain comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the rim of said' tub, and means secured to the top of said sheet and adapted to engage .a curtain rod to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub, said means comprising an upwardly extending and lengthwise adjustable arm, a member on one end of said arm secured to the top of said sheet and being adjustable thereon to permit said arm to be adjusted angularly relative to the plane of said sheet and a member-on the other end of said arm adapted to engage a curtain rod for movement therealong.

10. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, said curtain comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the rim of said tub, and means secured to the top of said sheet and adapted to engage a curtain rod to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub, said means comprising an adapter device fixedly secured to said sheet and an upwardly extending arm having on one end a clamping member adapted to frictionally engage said adapter device and being adjustable thereon to permit the arm to be adjusted angularly relative to the plane of said sheet and said arm having a member on its other end adapted to engage the curtain rod for movement therealong.

11. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, said curtain comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the rim of said tub, means secured to the top of said sheet and adapted to engage a curtain rod to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub, said means comprising an adapter device fixedly secured to said sheet and an upwardly extending and lengthwise adjustable arm having on one end a clamping member adapted to frictionally engage said adapter device and being adjustable thereon to permit the arm to be adjusted angularly relative to the plane of said sheet and said arm having a member on its other end adapted to engage the curtain rod for movement therealong. 1

12. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the curved rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the curved rim of said tub, said means comprising a saddle member extending over said curved rim, rollers carried by said saddle member and adapted to engage the curved rim of the tub on either side of the center thereof, the axes of said rollers being angularly disposed relative to each other, and means for supporting the top of said sheet from a curtain rod, said means being adapted to engage a curtain rod and to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub.

13. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the curved rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the curved rim of said tub, said means comprising a saddle member extending over said curved rim, rollers carried by said saddle member and adapted to engage the curved rim of the tub on either side of the center thereof, the axes of said rollers being angularly disposed relative to each other, and means for guiding the top of said sheet from a curtain rod, said latter means being adjustable angularly relative to the plane of said sheet and being adapted to engage a curtain rod and to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub.

14. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the curved rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the curved rim of said tub, said means comprising a saddle member extending over said curved rim, rollers carried by said saddle member and adapted to engage the curved rim of the tub on either side of the center thereof, the axes of said rollers being angularly dis posed relative to each other, and means for guiding the top of said sheet from a curtain rod, said latter means being adjustable vertically with respect to the top of said sheet and being adapted to engage a curtain rod and to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub.

15. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the curved rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod, comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the curved rim of said tub, said means comprising a saddle member extending over said curved rim, rollers carried by said saddle member and adapted to engage the curved rim of the tub on either side of the center thereof, the axes of said rollers being angularly disposed relative to each other, and means for guiding the top of said sheet from a curtain rod, said latter means being adjustable vertically and angularly with respect to the plane of said sheet and being adapted to engage a curtain rod and to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub.

16. A shower bath curtain adapted to be mounted on the curved rim of a bathtub and guided by a shower curtain rod comprising a substantially rigid sheet of waterproof material, means for supporting the bottom of said sheet for movement along the curved rim of said tub, said means comprising a saddle member extending over said curved rim, rollers carried by said saddle member and adapted to engage the curved rim of the tub on either side of the center thereof, the axes of said rollers being angularly disposed relative to each other, and means for guiding the top of said sheet from a curtain rod and to maintain said sheet in substantially upright position relative to said tub, said means comprising an upwardly extending and vertically adjustable arm, a member on the lower end of said arm adapted to engage said sheet and being adjustable thereon to permit said arm to be adjusted angularly relative to the plane of said sheet, and a member on the other end of said arm adapted to engage a curtain rod for movement therealong.

FRED H. LEWIS. 

